Manual selective plural length tape dispenser



July 10, 1962 B. H. DOYLE I MANUAL SELECTIVE PLURAL LENGTH TAPEDISPENSER Filed Jan. 6, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 lawezaioah fliilfi'owflfloyie, by H PHm 7W4 ilKw/WW 7a and 7&0

July 10, 1962 B. H. DOYLE 3,043,486

MANUAL SELECTIVE PLURAL LENGTH TAPE DISPENSER Filed Jan. 6, 1960 4Sheets-Sheet 2 I awe/22202 fliz'i'iow HDoyZe,

B. H. DOYLE 3,043,486

MANUAL SELECTIVE PLURAL LENGTH TAPE DISPENSER Jul 10, 1962 4Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Jan. 6, 1960 3,043,486 MANUAL SELECTIVE PLURALLENGTH TAPE DISPENSER Britton H. Doyle, Nashua, N.H., assignor to NashuaCorporation, Nashua, N.H., a corporation of Delaware Filed Jan. 6, 1960,Ser. No. 792 2 Claims. (Cl. 226-136) This invention concerns thedispensing of adhesively conditioned selective lengths of tape and stripmaterial from supplies thereof for use in package sealing, labelling andsuch purposes, especially tape of the moisture activated or dry-gummedtype. More particularly it aims to provide in a motorized orpower-driven machine of said class an improved construction andarrangement including actuating means and operator-controlled devicesfor obtaining selective delivery of one of a plurality of variouslypre-settable tape lengths such as short and long lengths in alternationor otherwise, as appropriate for example to the girth and the length ofa given package, or for different packages.

An example of a machine of the stated class to which among others theimprovements of the present invention are applicable is that of theDoyle, Eisenberg and Mc- Dermot application Serial No. 845,126, filedOctober 8, 1959. By way of illustration the present invention is shownand described as characteristically applied to the base machine of saidapplication.

In the drawings exemplifying one embodiment of the present invention:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tape dispensing machine as a whole;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the same;

FIG. 3 is a right-hand side elevation of said machine with a majorportion of the side gear compartment cover broken away;

FIG. 4 shows separately in side elevation an interchangeable operationcontrol element of the invention; and

FIG. 5 is a wiring diagram.

The machine as a whole is herein suliiciently illustrated and describedfor an understanding of the present invention in relation to tapedispensers of the class concerned. Similarly as in the mentionedapplication the machine in general comprises a main frame or housingwith side frames 2 on or between which are mounted the several operatingelements and sub-assemblies including means for holding the main tapesupplies, for feeding the tape, for pre-selecting the lengths to bedelivered and for adhesively conditioning and cutting off the lengths oftape advanced for delivery to the operator.

The housing provides at the rear of the machine a holder well 3 for aroll supply of the tape to be dispensed. From the rotatably supportedsupply roll the tape is advanced along a path as indicated by the dottedline of FIG. 3 through guide means 4 having lower and upper wallsbetween which the tape passes. The guide means has opposed openings forfeeding engagement of the opposite faces of the tape by a driven lowerfeed roll 6 and an upper feed and measuring roll 7. Said driven lowerroll 6 is fixed on a shaft 61: on the adjacent left-hand side frame 2and extending into the gear housing 8 where it is drivingly connectedthrough a train of reduction gearing with the electric motor M, FIG. 2.

g The upper roll 7 is supported for bodily movement toward and from thedriven roll 6. It is rotatably mounted on the forwardly extending arm ofa bellcrank 7 the other arm of which is operatively engaged with anactuator 16 adapted at each operating cycle of the machine to close thisnormally retracted roll 7 into tape-feeding relation with the drivenroll '6. Said actuator comprises a spring-loaded reciprocable rodconnected at the rear. end

Q 3,043,486 E Patented July 10, 1962 to an actuating solenoid indicatedgenerally at 15, FIGS. 1 to 3, and operatively engaged at the forwardend with the adjacent arm of said roll-carrying bellcrank 7. Thisactuator 16 also is connected with one arm of a second two-arm lever, ofwhich the other arm is connected to operate a vertical link 18-, FIG. 3,by which the movable blade 20 of the tape severing means is verticallymoved at the appropriate time in tape-severing coaction with a fixedblade 30. The described mechanism may be understood as generally similarto that of the application mentioned, reference also here being made toPatent No; 2,776,833 of January 8, 1957 for further showing anddescription of generally similar feeding, moistening and severingmechanism with which the present invention may be incorporated. I

Forwardly beyond the severing means 20, 30 the tape is advanced beneathan adjustably weighted platen 19 overlying capillary moistener means(not shown) extending upwardly from a liquid reservoir 12. removablyheld on cross supports on and between the front portions of the machineside frames 2.. The level of the moistening liquid in the reservoir maybe maintained in known manner from a replenishable supply in anautomatic feeder flask 13 demountably located at the left side of themachine, FIGS. 1 and 2.

For the purposes of the present invention the machine is equipped with aplurality of length selector elements whereby the operator may preselectany two tape lengths within an available range, such for example as upto 72 inches or more. Such two preselected lengths may be of any desiredlength value, one longer than the other, such as 18 in. and 42 in.; 8in. and 54 in.; 24 in. and 72 in.; 30 in. and 36 in.; or whatever may bethe requirements for a given taping usage. The call for tape in eitherof two preselected and immediately available lengths, in alternation orotherwise, frequently occurs for example where a large number ofpackages of generally uniform size and shape is to be handled, requiringone or more relatively longer tape pieces for one dimension while ashorter piece is adequate for another dimension of the package. r

The selector means as illustrated, similarly as in said mentionedapplication, comprises two independently settable selectors respectivelyindicated as a whole at 60 and 600, each'comprising a centrallyapertured mounting disc 61 and 61.0 independently rotatably received ona stationary stud shaft 31 extending from the left side frame. Theseselectors each carry a normally-closed lengthdelimiting trip orknock-off micro-switch 62 and 620 respectively disposed with theactuator members in the path of the radial finger 46 of a rotary tripmember 43 mounted to turn on the mentioned stud 31. Similarly as in thestated application the trip member 43 is provided with a clock springfor normally holding it at and 4 returning it to a zero startingposition, counterclockwise in FIG. 3 wherein the finger 46 abuts a fixedstop 48 on the machineframe 2. This trip member 43 is in constantlyengaged yieldable friction-driven relation with the adjacent driven gearelement of a train of gearing operatively associated with the upper feedroll 7, which latter is moved in synchrony with and by the tape as it isadvanced by the feed roll pair when in feeding relation at the oppositefaces of the tape. Such gear train, not necessary to show herein, servesto translate the lineal tape length measuring movement of the peripheryof the upper feed roll 7 into proportionate angular movement of the tripfinger 46 about the axis of the stud 31. Said operatively intermediarygear train is constructed and arranged to afford a substantial reductionsuch that the maximum tape length selection for the given machine, up tosay 72 inches or more, is proportionately expressed aoaaaae 3 by notmore than one full 360 rotation of the trip finger 46 in the clockwisedirection about the axis of the stud 31.

It will be further understood that a tape feed operating cycle isinstituted by energizing of the solenoid 15, causing the feed rolls 6, 7to assume tape-feeding relation, herein by bodily down movement of theupper feed roll 7; similarly that de-energizing of the solenoid l5 andresultant separation of the feed rolls 6, 7 releases the describedrotary tape length measuring mechanism including the trip member 43 withits trip finger 46 for return to the zero starting position under theinfluence of its return spring.

The two length-selectors 6t} and 6% each include outer radial portionsprojecting beyond the gear compartment 2a and disposed for movement inone and the opposite direction along an arcuate slot between the innerportion of the latter and the removable gear compartment cover 5. Eachselector has at the outer end a finger grip 63 and 63% with alength-selecting pointer d4, 64% readable against an arcuate scale 65 atthe outer side face of the cover 5. Said finger grips themselves alsoconstitute indexes readable against a similar top viewable scale 65 onthe circumferential face of said gear cover. These scales are calibratedin units of tape length according to the range of the particularmachine, as for example 2 inch increments, each readily subdivisible,with values indicated at 6 inch or other intervals, as shown in FIG 1 byway of example.

The selectors are frictionally held, subject to manual shifting at thewill of the operator, so that each of them will stand at whatever feedlength values are selected for the given use. This may be accomplishedsimilarly as in the mentioned application as by a friction plate 66 onthe fixed stud 31 at the outer side face of the disc portion of theadjacent selector, namely the disc 610 of the selector 6% in theillustrated example, such plate having a spacer hub at the inner face ofthe side cover 5. A manual clamping screw 67 extending through the coverand tapped into the stud shaft 31 is adapted to apply friction-holdingpressure to the selectors 60 and 6% through the mentioned washer-likefriction plate 66.

From the foregoing in connection with the drawings it is apparent thateither of two tape lengths is selectively available to the operator,with whatever length difierential between the two may be desired for theparticular use and within the range available. For the convenience ofthe operator the exposed manual gripping portions of the respectiveselectors 6t and 608 are made readily distinguishable positionally as byrelating them as rear and front respectively as to location, anddesirably also visually as by giving them indicia or distinctive andcontrasting colors, for example blue and red. Merely by way of examplethe color blue is indicated for the rear or longer length selector 60and the color red for the front or shorter length selector 6%. It willbe understood that the two different preset lengths of tape thus madeavailable to the operator are each variable along the scale. At timesboth lengths may lie within the lower portion of the scale, at othertimes both may be within the upper scale range, or the shorter lengthmay be in the lower part of the range and the longer length in the upperpart. Thus the difierential between the twolengths is variablepreselectively to suit the particular use.

As will be apparent from the wiring diagram FIG. 5 the respectivecycle-terminating trip switches 62 and 620 of the. respective selectorsare adapted to serve, alternatively, as the active cycle-terminatinginstrumentality, by being placed in series with the solenoid 15. Theknock-off switch which is to be active for any given feed cycle isdetermined by the operator when starting the operation, by selecting asbetween the blue or relatively long length cycle and the red orrelatively short length cycle. Two separate manual cycle-starterelements, later d to be described in more particular, are provided atthe selective disposal of the operator.

For the dual length selection and attendant dual feed cycling with whichthe present invention is concerned the control circuits as diagrammed inH6. 5 include provision herein associated with a leads junction box 3%on the machine frame, whereby the shorter-length or red selector fit dstands withits switch 62% normally closed in readiness forlength-measured cycle-stopping control of a shorterdength feed cycle tobe started by actuation by the operator of a shorter length or redswitch 7&5 to be described; whereby also the longer length or blue cycleterminating at and by the normally closed cycle-stopping switch 62 ofthe blue selector 6% stands readied to function in a longer length cycleto be started by a blue starter switch 7% to be described; and wherebyfurther the effect of the shorter length or red cycle stopping tripswitch 62% is automatically cancelled =by said blue starter switch 76when a longerlength or blue cycle is called for by the operator.

Such cancelling or lay-passing of the shorter red cycle-ending controlduring a longer blue cycle is accomplished as by installing on themachine a Comar or equivalent relay unit 625 having a normally openmagnet-operable switch 626, FIG. 5, with dual circuit leads connectedthrough a four-wire cord 628 to a fourterminal plug 625 receivable atthe machine junction box 3%. It is understood with reference to FIG. 5that the terminals numbered 1, 2, 3, 4 of plug 62% match respectivelywith the like numbered leads 1, 2, 3, 4 of the junction box when theplug-together connection is made thereat. The same applies also to theother detachable plugand-socket type connections of FIG. 5, namely theterminals 2, 3, 5 of the dual cycle-starter switch cords 72 and 72d withplug 725 having reception at the outlet box itltl, on the left-handmachine frame). and at the right portion of FIG. 5 and the terminals 1,2, 3, 4 of the connector leads of the cycle-halting switches 62 and 626received at the machine receptacle 2% seen in FIG 3 and at the leftportion of FIG. 5. For the dual length selection assembly with which thepresent invention is concerned, noting particularly FIG. 5, theconnector cable 72, 72% for the two manual switches 70 and 705 isapplied by plug 725 to the outlet box 1%, the relay connection 629is'applied at the junction box 3'90, and the two selectors 6% and 6%have their connector cable 69 applied by plug 69p to the receptable 2thon the machine.

As stated, the tape feed cycle for each length is separatelycontrollable by the operator, selectively, each by its owncycle-starting switch.

As a dominant feature of the present invention such cycle-startingswitch means is operatively installed, demountably and interchangeably,directly upon the machine frame, at a top front portion thereof, in aposition to be readily accessible to the operator from either the frontor a side of the machine. The two separate switch actuators respectivelydesignated as a whole at 76 and 705 are herein disposed in relativelyclose proximity to the length-selectors 6t and 60d and the path oflength-selective movement thereof. Further their relative positionallocation and arrangement is such as to correlate them respectively tothe manual operating portions 63 and 630 of said respective selectors.Thus in the illustrated example the starter switch "iil for the blue orlonger length tapes is located nearer the rear of the machine,corresponding to the rear position of the blue or longer length selector6t). Correspondingly the starter switch m5 for the other or shorter tapelengths is placed more forwardly and herein lower on the machine frame,generally adjacent and matching the relative position of the red orshorter length selector 6%. This construction and arrangement of thepair of cycle-starter switches for the different lengths has provisionto be of unique utility in the use of the tape dispenser machine byphysically handicapped operators andparticularly blind persons and thosewith severely restricted vision. Upon familiarizing themselves with theoperation of the machine and the location of the easily accessible rearand front selectors 60 and 600 such operators hand in passing fromsetting of the length selectors readily and naturally follows to thecorresponding cycle starter switch closely adjacent the selectors and inthe same corresponding fore and aft relation longitudinally of themachine and with respect to the direction of selective adjustment of theselectors. For general use the two starter switches 70 and 705 also aremarkedly visually distinguished as by the application of distinctivecolors to the pushbutton or other manual engaging portions 71 and 715respectively of the switch. Such distinctive color or other'marking ofthe switches is correlated to that of the finger pieces as and 6% of theselectors and in the illustrated example by coloring blue the rearbutton 71 and for the blue or longer length feed cycling and red for theshorter length feed cycling, similarly as for the respective selectors.

In the illustrated example such construction and arrangement for thestarter switch installation is accomplished by providing the right-handmachine frame 2, in the region of the arcuate flange 2 of the side coverhousing with a segmental opening adapted for the reception of ademountable and interchangeable flange segment or arcuate panel 250,FIGS. 1 and 2 and shown separately in FIG. 4. Such switch panelcomprises a plate body 251 dimensioned to fit the opening on the sideframe and being bounded at the ends and at the inner longitudinal edgeby an elevated and projecting flange 252 for seating of the switch plateupon the margin of the frame opening. At the inner convex face the platebody 251 is formed with vertical flanges such as 253, 254 for anchoringof the plate.

At the appropriate locations lengthwise of the arcuate plate 250, suchas to afford the above described location for the respective switch, theplate is apertured for reception of mounting nipples or the like on thebodies of respective microswitches 70 and 720. The mounting nipplesextend through the openings and are anchored to the plate as by insideand outside locknuts such as 73, 73% threaded onto the nipples. Therrranual switch operating elements proper, shown as pushbuttons 71, 715,are depressibly mounted in the switch attaching nipples and normallyheld elevated in readiness for operation by manual depression, throughthe self-contained spring means associated with the circuit make andbreak element of the microsw-itches themselves. These latter are of thenormally open type.

Assuming the red and blue selectors 60d and 60 respectively set for thedesired two different tape lengths, automatic feed, moistening, cut-offand delivery of the shorter tape length is had by manual closure of thered cycle-starter switch 7425. When the rotary measuring projection 46comes opposite and engages the actuator roll 622, see FIG. 3, of the redvarm trip switch 629, said normally closed switch is thereby opened andthe feed cycle halted by deenergizing of the actuator solenoid 15, withstopping of the motor and return of the holding switch 150 to normalopen position attendant on the cutofi operation under the returnmovement of the actuator 16 to normal released position.

Delivery of the selected longer tape length is had by operator closureof the blue cycle-starter switch '75 The norm-ally open relay switch 626is thereby closed, along with the holding switch 156, and through theillustrated relay circuits and lead connections through the junction box300 the red trip switch 620is in effect shunted out or cancelled fromthe then active circuits. Hence the movement of the driven measuringprojection 46 past the red trip switch 629 although engaging and movingthe switch actuator roll s22 has no cycle-halting effect thereat and thefeed cycle continues on until said projection 4s engages and trips theblue arm trip switch 6. 62. Thereby the tape feed is halted at thelonger tape length corresponding to the location of said switch 62 underthe particular selective setting of the blue selector 69.

From the foregoing description in connection with the drawings it isapparent that the invention provides a power-driven machine of the classdescribed capable of supplying at the will of the operator either of twodifferent tape lengths, each of them pre-settable within the availablerange, in a cycling operation in which the elected tape length is fed,measured, moistened, cut oil and delivered in adhesive condition foruse, together with separate cycle-starter manual controls constructed,arranged and relatively located upon the machine so that each isinherently and naturally correlated respectively with the lengthselector means for the respective tape length to facilitate and assureselection and cycling feed of the desired tape length whether by visualor locational determination and manual engagement of the correctcycle-starter device by the operator.

My invention is not limited to the particular embodiment thereofillustrated and described herein, and I set forth its scope in myfollowing claims.

I claim:

1. In a tape dispensing assembly comprising a base machine having aframe,

a support thereon for a supply roll of tape,

separable feed rolls,

an electrically operated actuator for closing and opening the rolls toand from tape feeding relation,

tape cut-off means and operating connection therefor with the actuator,

a motor operable intermittently to drive one of the feed rolls,

measuring means connected to move with one roll pro portionately to thetape length fed,

the combination therewith of (a a plurality of length selectors variablyposition-able in the path of the measuring means at any selectedindividually different tape lengths in the available range,

(b) there being a relatively rotatably disposed cyclehalting trip switchand switch tripper means for each length selector 'actuatable by themeasuring means upon length measuring movement thereof corresponding tothe length selections of said selectors,

(c) a like plurality of operator actuat-able starter switches,

(d) and a corresponding plurality of control circuits each containingsaid motor, said actuator and the starter switch and the trip switchmeans corresponding to one length selector,

(2) said starter switches mountedon the machine accessibly to theoperator,

(f) and the machine including said selectors and starter switches beingconstructed and arranged with provisions operatively and positionallydifferentiating each selector and each starter switch from the other asto relative tape lengths responsive thereto and for correlating theparticular starter switch with the corresponding length selector,

(g) said trip switch means being aligned for successive engagement bythe moving measuring means,

(It) and the control circuit for a longer length selector and starterswitch including therein relay means subject to the starter switch ofsaid circuit to render inoperative the trip switch of the circuit forany shorter length selector during operation under the control of thelonger length selector,

(i) and whereby one and the same given selector effects delivery alwaysof a relatively shorter tape length and another given selector effectsdelivery always of a relatively longer tape length.

2. A tape dispensing assembly according to claim 1 (a) wherein themachine frame is provided at an operator-facing location adjacent thepath of the selective setting of the length selectors with ademountableframe-conforming panel,

(b) and the starter switches are mounted on said panel and presentoperating members such as buttons readily distinguishably accessible tothe operator,

(c) said starter switches having electrical leads terminating in adetachable-type connector and said machine frame carrying an outletreceptacle connected in the circuit of the motor and of the actuator andadapted to receive said starter switch connector. 7

(d) and said trip switch means of the selectors also having connectionleads extending to a detachabletype connector and said machine framecarrying a further junction receptacle connected into the motor andactuator circuit and adapted to receive said trip-switch connector,

(e) whereby the starter switches together with said selector trip meansand connectors therefor are constituted as a detachable sub-assemblyreadily demountable from the dispensing assembly for substitution byother control means.

Lakso Jan. 8, 1957 Von Stoeser et al Mar. 19, 1957

